Bribe pushes MNCs out of TN: MK Stalin

Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Saturday alleged that multinational companies have moved away from Tamil Nadu since those at the helm of administration are demanding a bribe for establishing them in the state, leading to a rise in unemployment.

He said Ford migrated to Gujarat to set up its second factory at an estimate of Rs. 4,000 crores. The ISUZU car factory, planned to be established in Chennai at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore had gone to Andhra Pradesh and Hero Motors, which wanted to have a factory at an estimate of Rs. 2.400 crore,  also migrated to Andhra Pradesh, he said. The Alstom rail coach factory also went to Andhra Pradesh and the latest being the Kia Motors which wanted to set up a factory with an investment of Rs. 7,000 crore.

There are reports that those in charge of the state government sought half of the total investment of Kia Motors as commission, he said. Besides, the MoUs signed during the Global Investors Meet had not been implemented.

Accusing the AIADMK (Amma) government of not generating employment for youth, he said about 84 lakh youth had registered themselves in employment exchanges and are waiting for jobs. Lakhs of youth are unable to pay their educational loans due to lack of employment opportunities, he said. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission is not functioning due to a violation of the rules in the nomination of members.

The Chief Minister should implement the 98 MoUs signed in the GIM, besides carrying out government appointments without corruption, he said, and added that he should take measures to implement schemes to provide jobs to youth.